John Kerry’s nomination as President Barack Obama’s new secretary of state has sailed through the US Senate. The vote was 94 to 3 in favour. Two Senators from Texas and one from Oklahoma were the only “no” votes.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously in favour of his appointment earlier in the day.

The Senate agreed to vote quickly after Kerry’s confirmation hearing last week. Kerry, who has been a senator for 28 years, will make a final speech to the floor on Wednesday.